This Tuesday, November 6th, we can promote the good for our society by voting in the midterm elections. Not only is voting our great right as Americans, it is also our duty as Catholics. As the Catechism teaches, “co-responsibility for the common good make[s] it morally obligatory… to exercise the right to vote…” (CCC #2240)
Though the Catholic Church participates in the political process as a moral voice in the public square, she does not institutionally endorse candidates or political parties. Within the Church, clergy and laity have different but complementary roles. The calling of the clergy is to preach the Gospel message so that all may properly form their consciences. The mission of lay people is to transform politics and culture.
As Pope Benedict XVI once said, “The Church is not a political power, it’s not a party, but it’s a moral power. Since politics fundamentally should be a moral enterprise, the Church in this sense has something to say about politics.” In their recent document on “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” the U.S. bishops highlight these nine fundamental moral issues particularly pressing at this time:
■ The ongoing destruction of over one million innocent human lives each year by abortion.
■ Physician-assisted suicide.
■ The redefinition of marriage – the vital cell of society – by the courts, political bodies, and increasingly by American culture itself.
■ The excessive consumption of material goods and the destruction of natural resources, which harm both the environment and the poor.
■ The deadly attacks on fellow Christians and religious minorities throughout the world.
■ The narrowing redefinition of religious freedom, which threatens both individual conscience and the freedom of the Church to serve.
■ Economic policies that fail to prioritize the poor, at home and abroad.
■ A broken immigration system and a worldwide refugee crisis.
■ Wars, terror, and violence that threaten every aspect of human life and dignity.
As a mighty wave is made of many single drops, please cast a vote this week for the common good.
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